Bell HH-1H accident near Reno, Nevada, June 2, 2022
On June 2, 2022 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Bell HH-1H (helicopter), registered N91JK, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Reno, Nevada. It was a public-use flight (local) under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control following the inadvertent placement of his foot behind the anti-torque pedal.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2022 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell HH-1H · all HH-1Hs on the register
- Registration
- N91JK · registry record · serial 70-2482
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (local) · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two pilots were practicing pinnacle landings and takeoffs on a hilltop. The pilot in command (PIC) in the right seat was performing a takeoff when the helicopter encountered a wind gust that resulted in a right yaw. The PIC applied left anti-torque pedal to arrest the yaw when his left heel slipped off the front end of the footrest. His foot became wedged between the pedal and footrest, which resulted in an uncontrollable left spin. The PIC reduced collective, and the helicopter landed hard. The landing skids collapsed on landing, substantially damaging the fuselage and tail. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,154 hours in all; 187 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,077 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 11, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,500 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 5,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 31, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 9, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 10,500 lb
- Seats: 15
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T53-L-703 (turboshaft); 2,174 hours total
- Operator: Washoe County Sheriff Dept
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 9:45 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; clear at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 80°F (27°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 3006.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KRNO, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRNO 022255Z 27012G28KT 10SM SCT110 SCT150 BKN250 26/M01 A2989 RMK AO2 PK WND 29028/2247 WSHFT 2159 SLP076 ACSL DSNT S THRU W T02611006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N91JK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR22LA205.